Tie and tie plate assembly



1948. P. D. GROVER TIE AND TIE PLATE ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 26, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 3, 1948.

P. D GROVER TIE AND TIE PLATE ASSEMBLY Filed Sept. 25 1944 I n I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f elm Weave; 19m

Patented Feb. 3, 1948 Philip D. Grover, Chicago, Ill. Application September as, 1944, Serial no. 555,866

1 Claim.

1 This invention relates to a tie and tie plate assembly, and more particularly to such an assembly adapted to be utilized with model railroads and the like.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved tie and tie plate assembly adapted to the use of model railroads which will simulate in appearance the actual tie and tie plates used by real railroads.

A further important object of this invention is the provision of such an assembly'which will provide a quiet, smooth running roadbed for such model raiiroads.

Still another object is the provision of such an assembly, and particularly a tie plate therefor, adapted to preclude any short circuiting of the electrical apparatus of such model railroads.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a tie and tie plate assembly which will provide for a. fast, relatively simple method of laying permanent model tracks.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of such a tie and tie plate assembly which may be readily disassembled when desired.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds and shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept. s

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of one tie and associated tie plate, shown assembled with fragments of rail sections.

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 1, the rail being shown in section.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of one end of the tie.

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the nail utilized in securing the tie in position on the roadbed, and

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of a constructional detail adapted to be utilized in association with the nail in Figure 5.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Having reference now to the drawings, there is indicated at I 0 a tie provided with a pair of spaced parallel transvers grooves II. a plurality of such ties being adapted to be utilized in layin a section of track. Grooves II are provided with bores l2 extending partially through the base thereof.

I vention are, as best shown in Figure 1, rectangular plates 13 preferably comprised of resilient material such as rubber, or the like. .Plates I! are provided with depending rectangular portions ll so dimensioned to fit snugly within the grooves H and have centrally located channels i 8 aligned therealong of a depth suillcient to accommodate the base I! of a rail it. of any desired size. adapted to be utilized in the laying of model railroad tracks. Projecting lugs I! in simulation of spikes preferably formed integral with base I! are positioned adjacent the edges of channel l8, and adapted to overlie the base I! of the rail II to hold the parts in related assembly.

Each plate l3 has a centrally disposed countersunk aperture 20 terminating in a bore 2| adapted to be aligned with the bore l2 and the recesses,

II in ties ID. The parts are adapted to be secured in related assembly, as by nails or tacks 22 provided with heads 23 of a dimension adapted to fit within the bore 20. As best shown in Figure 2, the nails 22 are of sumcient length to extend completely through the ties l0 and extend into the base or roadbed on which the ties are positioned to hold the same thereupon. the bores l2 being of suflicient depth to form an insulating air gap between rail bases I1 and heads 23. Insulating discs 25 (see Figs. 3 and 6) are adapted to be placed in bore "over the heads 22 of nails 22 inorder to preclude accidental short circuiting of any electrical circuit running through the rails such as might be occasioned by the accidental contact of the metallic heads of the nails and the metallic rail I I. a

From the foregoing the method of operation of this invention should be readily understandable. The roadbed is first formed and a plurality of ties ID are then positioned and ali ned therealong. Tie plates I! are then positioned with their depending portions I l engaging in grooves l I, and the parts held in related assembly by the nails 22 driven into the baseboard or the like. After a sufficient number of ties has been laid, rails are inserted in the channels it by bending back the members is either manually or with any desired tool, and then such members l9. through their natural resiliency, return to position to hold the rails securely in related assembly with the tie plates. The lengths of rails may be joined together in any desired manner, as by means of the conventional model flshplates, or the like.

Obviously, if desired. the ties and tie plates may comprise an integral unit formed of any suitable material.

The tie plates comprising a feature of this in- From the foregoing it will now be seen that and tie assembly adapted to provide an eflicient and realistic roadbed for model railroads, and the like, which is sturdy and durable in construction, quiet and eificient in operation, which precludes the possibility of short circuiting of current carried by the rails, and which is relatively simple and economical to install and manufacture.

It will also be seen that there is herein provided a construction which accomplishes all the objects of this invention and others, including many advantages of great practical utility.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a. limiting sense.

I claim:

In a tie and tie plate assembly for model railroads, a tie having parallel transverse grooves therein, tie plates of resilient insulating material, depending portions associated with said tie plates engageable in said grooves, and means integral with said tie plates for securing a rail thereto, 5

said last-mentioned means comprising extending protuberances secured to said plate and iormed in simulation or spike heads.

PHILIP D. GROVER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: 1

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 13,306 Vaughn Oct. 31, 1911 105,371 Richards July 12, 1870 625,884 Harris May 30. 1899 961,917 Vaughn June 21, 1910 1,000,498 Davis Aug. 15, 1911 1,728,593 Crane Sept. 17, 1929 2,094,279 Moses Sept. 28. 1937 2,133,500 Donnelley Oct. 18, 1938 2,153,625 Jones Apr. 11, 1939 2,277,808 Wood Mar. 31, 1942 2,405,533 Vamey "Aug. 6, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 603,950 7 Germany Oct-'12, 1934 

